adjective / noun

prophylactic

proh-fuh-LAK-tik/ˌprəʊfəˈlæktɪk/

Serving to prevent an unwanted condition.

The vaccination serves a prophylactic purpose by helping prevent influenza.

A clinician administers a preventive flu vaccination to a healthy-looking older adult.

Etymology

proGreekbefore

+phylactGreekto watch over, guard

+icGreekpertaining to

“Before” plus “guard” gives the image of keeping watch in advance against a threat. Applied to medicine, it describes protection intended to ward off disease rather than treatment after it appears.

In context

Learning in 100:22

prophylactic antibiotics are beneficial in reducing the rate of infections from cesarean sections.

Timing of Administration of Prophylactic Antibiotics for CS

More examples

The bank adopts prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of fraud.
Travelers may need a prophylactic against malaria before their trip.
Condoms are prophylactics against pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections.

Forms

prophylactic · prophylactics

prophylaxis noun — Prevention of disease through protective treatment.

Similar words

preventive: A more common term for preventing illness or other problems.
protective: Emphasizes shielding someone or something from harm or damage.
condom: Names the contraceptive sheath specifically, not other preventive measures.